Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission is aiming to promote addiction destigmatization and strengthen ties with other organizations throughout the new year.

Director Jamie Drake led an interagency discussion on progress and strategies for combating the opioid crisis, with a focus upon helping those afflicted with addiction. Drake said that breaking down the stigmas of addiction, and understanding that it can affect anyone, are key points for successfully treating the issue."Embarrassment comes because people don't accept it as the disease that it is," Drake said. "If I told you that my son had cancer, you'd be bringing me casseroles and sending me cards. But if I tell you that my son is suffering from addiction, you would lock your door and not talk to me anymore. That's what we've got to break down - the more and more it affects the community, the more it affects people's friends and neighbors."Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health and Developmental Service coordinator Brian Snyder pointed out the additional difficulties that come up when an addict has mental health issues, due to multiple agencies working with the patient."There's an astronomical amount of co-occuring disorders in our area," Snyder said, explaining that working alongside the Drug and Alcohol Commission has helped significantly."I think we've come a long way. I think we feel more comfortable working with everybody in this room," Snyder said. "Networking together is extremely important."The commission's recent "Hope for the Holidays" event was cited as a success story in educating professionals, families and recovering addicts, and providing a window into the mind of an addict."We really saw that there is a need for families to get some questions answered, to know what they should be doing. This is impacting them as much as the individual that is using. Providing them that time to come together, to network, to provide some education on key topics," Drake said.Recovery specialist Kara Dietrich suggested promoting meetings or the like to active users, connecting them to helpful sources."I would make it bigger - not just a family focus. If addicts, by chance, would show up, that does benefit the other people there, too. The addict could also get help," Dietrich said.Drake said that she had requested support for family treatment programs to provide education on codependency, enabling, boundary-setting, and other significant issues related to addiction. Drake said the Department of Drug and Alcohol was reviewing the proposal.Early education was a significant talking point as well, with Aevidum mentioned as a success story where students support one another with all facets of life, including problems with addiction.Weatherly School District's Rebekah McFadden brought up the desire to establish early drug and alcohol education and preventive strategies, beginning around kindergarten.Other projects in the works include a mobile Vivitrol unit by Positive Recovery Solution, which would be able to come out to locations throughout the community to distribute the anti-addiction medication. Drake said holdups revolve around credentials and medical assistance."As soon as she gets that resolved, we're ready to roll," Drake said. "That's another step we're looking at as far as medication-assisted treatment."The commission also discussed plans for events, including Reality in Hope meetings about what to expect during recovery, scheduled for April 13, 20, and 27, and the annual Recovery Walk."We plan on continuing to grow that every year, and get other agencies involved so that it becomes a Carbon county event rather than just our agency. Yes, we are the single-county authority, and yes, we are the biggest provider, but this is a community issue. It's not just us. I'd like to see a buy-in for the whole community for this walk," Drake said.